Share this @internewscast.com
Some Coalition politicians have indicated their ongoing support for nuclear energy, despite an expert calling it “electoral suicide”.
Liberal MP Tim Wilson argued that without nuclear power, Australia will need to “de-industrialise,” as he advocated for the energy source in a statement.
The Liberals and Nationals are set to review their policy platform following a significant election defeat that led to Labor securing majority government.
The Coalition has lost several moderate MPs as urban areas have shifted away from the Liberals.
Wilson has defied this trend by regaining the Goldstein seat in Melbourne from independent MP Zoe Daniel, expressing his support for a future where nuclear energy has a part.

“In my fundamental belief, I support the role of nuclear power,” he stated.

‘Many’ in the Coalition are pro-nuclear

Nationals MP Michael McCormack said many members of the Nationals and Liberals remain “very pro-nuclear”.
When asked if could cause a split between the Liberals and Nationals, he told Radio National on Thursday morning: “We’ll have to wait and see.”
Asked to clarify his response, McCormack said: “There are many people within the Liberal Party who are very pro-nuclear, just like the National Party, and obviously there will be people who will now want to review all the policies.”

“Everything will be on the table, there will be reviews by both parties,” he said.

McCormack said it’s a “matter for the parties” whether a nuclear energy policy will be taken to the next election in three years’ time.
“People do believe that if we’re going to get to net zero, that it [nuclear] has to be part of the energy mix, there are a lot of Liberals on board with that too,” he said.
However, Liberal senator Maria Kovacic said she wanted the policy to be dumped.

“The Liberal Party must immediately scrap the nuclear energy plan and back the private market’s investment in renewable energy,” she said on Tuesday.

How feasible is nuclear power in Australia and what would it cost? CSIRO and experts take a look image

What was the Coalition’s nuclear policy?

In mid-2024, then-Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced that if elected, across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, pledging it would lead to cheaper energy.

The Coalition estimated the project would cost $331 billion and had planned to build the plants in the following electorates:

  • Liddell in NSW, electorate of Hunter
  • Mount Piper in NSW, electorate of Calare
  • Tarong in Queensland, electorate of Maranoa
  • Callide in Queensland, electorate of Flynn
  • Port Augusta in SA, electorate of Grey
  • Loy Yang in Victoria, electorate of Gippsland
  • Muja in WA, electorate of O’Connor
The party’s plan to build the reactors faced opposition from members of the public as well as state premiers who were against nuclear facilities in their home states.

Dutton didn’t visit any of the proposed sites during the five-week election campaign.

‘Electoral suicide’

There were swings against the Coalition in nearly every seat where it proposed a nuclear plant, except for Flynn in Queensland, according to Australian Electoral Commission data.
Meanwhile, Labor recorded positive swings in every seat where offshore wind projects have been announced.

Adam Simpson, a senior lecturer in international studies at the University of South Australia, labeled pro-nuclear policies as unpopular “electoral suicide”.

But the Coalition didn’t have much of a choice when it came to election promises around energy, Simpson told SBS News.
“The Coalition had to come to the election saying something about energy policy if they were going to oppose Labor’s policy, and there’s not really that many options,” he said.

“They could have announced a perpetual use of gas or coal, but that would require forfeiting their net zero commitment.”

Fewer moderates in the party

Simpson said there are a couple of reasons the Coalition could come back with a version of the policy for the next election.
“In 2022, they lost all those teal seats. They lost a lot of moderate voices from the Liberal Party. And then that’s just been exacerbated in this recent election,” Simpson said.

“There are very few voices going to be coming from metropolitan urban areas in the Coalition party room. So that’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if, after they do the post-election wash-up and assessment of what went wrong, they come out again with another pro-nuclear policy.”

Simpson said “cultural opposition” is likely another factor, with the Coalition ideologically resistant to a transition to renewable energy.
“They don’t particularly believe in climate change, and it’s certainly not a priority for them,” he said.
While nuclear energy could be a policy the Coalition runs again in 2028, Simpson predicted it would cause “further devastation” within its remaining metropolitan seats and push the Coalition into the “electoral wilderness” for a generation.

For the latest from SBS News, and .
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Andrea Madigan planned to contest the assault charge. She was seen on CCTV appearing to break up the fracas before allegedly helping to pin Franklin's victim down.

Shocking 7-Eleven Incident: Anti-Semitic Slur Sparks ‘Hot Coffee’ Attack, Victim Pleads ‘I Can’t Breathe

EXCLUSIVE A customer at a 7-Eleven who passed away six days after…
A light plane has crashed into an aircraft hangar in South Australia, just north of Adelaide. Police were called to an area near Kings Road at Parafield after reports the small aircraft had collided with the hangar as the aircraft attempted to land at the airport.

Tragic Plane Crash: Small Aircraft Collides with Hangar in South Australia, Sparks Investigation

A light aircraft has crashed into a hangar in South Australia, just…
Raheem Ahmed in action for Leicestershire's 2nd XI in 2021 - he is now on a 20-day trial with Nottinghamshire

County Cricket Transfer Buzz: Leicestershire Secures NZ Captain, Yorkshire Eyes Pakistani Talent & Kent Revamps Bowling Line-Up

Raheem Ahmed, the older brother of England’s versatile cricketer Rehan Ahmed, is…
People sit in doctor's waiting room.  One woman looks a medical brochure and a man uses his smart phone to make a call.

New AI Tool Set to Revolutionize Doctor’s Offices by Addressing Common General Practitioner Concerns

A new AI tool that could slash GP wait times could be…

Historic Breakup: The Collapse of the World’s Largest Oil Alliance

In a significant move set to impact the global oil landscape, the…
TV icon Ray Martin launches an extraordinary attack on No voters - lashing them as 'dinosaurs and d***heads' in a scathing speech to a cheering Yes crowd in front of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Ray Martin’s Bold Three-Word Rebuke Electrifies Voice to Parliament Debate: A Must-Watch Speech Backed by Albanese

Legendary television figure Ray Martin recently criticized those opposing the Voice referendum,…
Search continues for man wanted over suspected abduction of young girl in NT

Heartbreaking Discoveries Uncovered in Intensified Search for Missing Sharon

Warning: This article contains descriptions that might be upsetting to some readers.…
Former Married At First Sight stars Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice have tied the knot a year after getting engaged

Exclusive: Behind the Scenes of Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice’s Epic New Zealand Wedding Celebration on ‘Married At First Sight

Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice, both former participants of Married At First…

UAE’s Surprising Exit from OPEC: A Game-Changer for Global Oil Markets and Consumer Benefits

In brief The United Arab Emirates has announced it will leave OPEC…

Heightened Concerns in NT Community as Police Intensify Search for Missing Five-Year-Old Sharon

In brief The search for five-year-old Sharon Granites and her suspected abductor…
Golders Green stabbing

UK Prime Minister Denounces Antisemitic Violence Following London Stabbing Incident

Two Jewish people were stabbed in north London on Wednesday in an…

Trump Praises ‘Two Kings’ After Meeting with Charles Amid Political Stance by British Monarch

In brief King Charles says the UK and the US will always…